Do you need to be connected to the internet while visiting Japan? Perhaps you plan to use your own mobile phone or tablet to communicate with family, friends, and associates. You may also need internet connectivity for your work.
Whatever your needs are, we will guide you through your choices and options for internet connectivity and mobile phone use in Japan. It is quick and easy to pick up any of these communications and connectivity devices at the JAL ABC Counter, where you may also leave your luggage for delivery.
Japan is one of the world's most tech-forward nations. However, public Wi-Fi service is not universally available throughout the nation. Most accommodations, including hotels and ryokan (inns), offer Wi-Fi in rooms and common areas. In contrast, cafes and restaurants in Japan typically do not offer free Wi-Fi, although some well-known international chains may have it available.
When it comes to using your mobile phone, international travelers may also find that roaming charges from their home country's phone plans are expensive, ranging up to USD 3.00 per minute for voice calls and data access. You have several choices to maintain your internet connectivity conveniently and affordably without roaming charges. You may also choose options for affordable voice and video calls while traveling in Japan, including rentals of mobile phones for in-country use and purchased SIM cards.
If you wish to use your own mobile device while traveling in Japan but don't want to pay roaming charges for data, calls, or app use, a portable Wi-Fi router provides you with convenience and Wi-Fi service. A portable Wi-Fi router is also called a "pocket Wi-Fi."
Pocket Wi-Fi makes it possible for you to connect to the internet (depending upon the area where you are located). Most cities in Japan are covered. You may use Pocket WiFi while sightseeing, traveling from location to location, and in any urban or rural location. You can also:
・Connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to the internet
・Use multiple devices (including up to five devices for family and friend groups)
・Look up information, translations, locations, and maps
・Stay connected with social media
・Send pictures and videos to friends and family
・Complete work assignments
Portable Wi-Fi options include wireless routers that offer wireless connectivity to your devices and USB Wi-Fi plug-in devices that use a USB connector.
Both of these devices have free pick-up at the airport. The devices also have no rental fees. The daily data fee covers unlimited usage.
・Wireless router rental fees are JPY 1,313 per day
・USB router rental fees are JPY 997 per day
You may reserve your router for airport pick-up ahead of your trip. If you should need to cancel your portable Wi-Fi device rental, be advised that a JPY 1,000 cancellation fee applies if you cancel within three days of your pick-up date.
Most international mobile phones and tablet devices may be used in Japan, but to make local calls or have phone service while traveling, some travelers choose to rent a mobile phone while they are in Japan. When using your own phone in Japan, your mobile provider may charge roaming or other fees when you call Japanese numbers or use Japanese phone networks. Renting a mobile phone provides convenience and allows you to make local calls with no extra or roaming charges.
Rental mobile phones come in various forms, from simple flip phones for making voice calls to smartphones with unlimited calling. You can choose phones that allow domestic calls only or allow domestic and international calls. The mobile rentals are for phone calls only. The data plan to use mobile apps requires a pocket Wi-Fi router or similar device.
Mobile phones may be reserved by calling +81-3-3545-1143 during business hours 10:00 - 17:00 (Japan Time).
You may rent a mobile phone in person at JAL ABC counters at:
・Narita International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Lobby
・Narita International Airport Terminal 2 Arrival Lobby
・Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Lobby
・Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Lobby
Once you are done with the rental phone, you may drop it off at the departure lobby at your convenience or return it to the JAL ABC counter where you obtained it. If you have selected a mobile phone with an unlimited calling plan, you may pay for it in advance when you pick up the phone.
Fees for the mobile rental phones are as follows:
・Type-A JPY 255 a day rental fee plus per-call charges of JPY 81 per minute
・Type-B JPY 255 a day rental fee plus per-call charges of JPY 182 per minute
・Unlimited calls plan: JPY 500 per day
The Type-A and Unlimited Calls Plan phones enable you to make calls within Japan but do not allow international calls. The Type-B phone will make both Japanese and international calls. All rental mobile phones allow you to receive calls from international numbers at no charge.
A convenient tool that savvy travelers have learned to take advantage of to use their own mobile devices while traveling is to purchase a prepaid data SIM card and put it in their phone. To accomplish this, your phone should be "unlocked" from its provider. Your phone also needs to be able to work with Japanese networks: fortunately, most newer phones do. A mobile phone that is still "locked" by an overseas mobile provider will not accommodate a prepaid SIM card.
You may purchase SIM cards for specific time periods or a specific amount of mobile data. Unlimited data plans are available. One reason some travelers select prepaid SIM cards rather than portable Wi-Fi routers is cost. A prepaid SIM card may be more affordable for single-device data access than a portable Wi-Fi router.
Be advised: check to ensure the card will work with your device. The available SIM cards use the following specifications:
Usable waveband:
・4G LTE - Band 1 (2100MHz), Band 19 (800MHz), Band 21 (1500MHz), and Band 3 (1800MHz)
・3G LTE - Band 1 (2100MHz) and Band 19 (800MHz)
Your device should have a technical standards compliance mark:
・JP Technical Regulations Conformity Mark
・US FCC Mark
・or EEA CE marking
One thing to be aware of before purchasing a prepaid SIM card is usability. Check the type and size of the SIM card in advance, and ensure that it will function properly with your device. The SIM card counter staff is unable to assist you in installing or configuring the card.
A selection of prepaid SIM cards is available at the JAL ABC counters at:
・Narita International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Lobby
・Narita International Airport Terminal 2 Arrival Lobby
・Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Arrival Lobby
・Kansai International Airport Terminal 1 Arrival Lobby (SIM Card vending machine is also available)
At Narita Airport, three SIM Cards are available in multi-type (Nano/Micro/Regular), Nano, or Micro SIM sizes.
・Unari-kun SIM provides unlimited 4G LTE high speed data use for 7, 15, or 30 day periods
・Japan Prepaid SIM provides 5GB of 4G LTE high speed data use for 30 days
・TRE SIM provides 2GB or 6GB of 4G LTE high speed data use for 30 days
At Haneda Airport, two SIM cards are available in multi-type (Nano/Micro/Regular), Nano, or Micro SIM sizes.
・Unlimited Japan Prepaid SIM provides unlimited 4G LTE high speed data use for 7, 15, or 30 day periods
・TRE SIM provides 2GB of 4G LTE high speed data use for 30 days
At Kansai Airport, two SIM cards are available in multi-type (Nano/Micro/Regular), Nano, or Micro SIM sizes.
・Unlimited Japan Prepaid SIM provides unlimited LTE high speed data use for 7, 15, or 30 day periods
・TRE SIM provides 2GB or 6GB of 4G LTE high speed data use for 30 days
Unlimited data prepaid SIM cards enable you to use data throughout the time period you have purchased for the SIM card: 7, 15, or 30 days. Limited data prepaid SIM cards will not support communication if you have used up the data that the card permits.
If you're traveling as part of a group and want to be connected to the internet to show your friends at home the beautiful sights and exciting experiences Japan has to offer, you may want to choose portable or "pocket" Wi-Fi to share a router that can be used anywhere during your trip and can be accessed by more than one device. You may also find that renting a mobile phone for local calls is a good solution to high roaming and data use charges. Or, putting a SIM card in your own device may allow you to access the internet and data while you're in Japan.
Stay connected with JAL ABC, and do not hesitate to use our online or phone options to reserve your portable Wi-Fi, rental phone, or purchase a SIM card. You will find convenient counters and hands-free services at Terminals 1 and 2 at Narita Airport and at Haneda and Kansai Airports.
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